The Master Gardener program originally grew out of a need by County extension agents for volunteers who could help them with an overwhelming demand from citizens for horticulture information.

   Each year there is a Master Gardening class that begins in February. The class is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday during the entire month of February. Once students have completed their classroom hours, they must complete 100 volunteer hours by October 31 of that year.

   Each Master Gardening class has a project garden. The Class of 2001 built the garden around the Veterans Memorial at the Waxahachie Civic Center. The Class of 2004 built the bed in front of the Chautauqua Auditorium and the triangular-shaped garden at the entrance of Getzendaner Park.

   The “Lawn and Garden Expo” is an annual event held each March at the Waxahachie Civic Center and sponsored by the Ellis County Master Gardeners and Texas Cooperative Extension. The event includes exhibitors and vendors, food concessions by Ellis County 4-H, and seminars led by gardening experts.

   The Farmers Market that takes place each year around the Courthouse Square, every weekend beginning in late May through early November, is hosted by the Ellis County Master Gardeners Association.

   Ellis County Master Gardeners Association volunteers designed and maintain a demonstration garden located at the Presbyterian Children’s Home at 300 Brookside Road. Built in 1997, the garden contains over 150 different plant species.

   Getzendaner Park is the site of another demonstration garden that is a countywide, community project that includes partnerships with local businesses. Future plans for the project include an amphitheatre where workshops and programs will be held for clubs and organizations and where school children can come for field trips.

To learn more, call the Ellis County Texas Cooperative Extension at 972-825-5175 or visit www.ECMGA.com.